THE WEEK AHEAD | MARCH 22 - MARCH 28 | Theater

By STEVEN McELROY

Published: March 22, 2009

Theater

Steven McElroy

The long-term impact of the country's economic woes on the theater remains to be seen, but the current season continues to blossom. At least a dozen Broadway and Off Broadway productions will open or begin previews this week, the first full week
of spring. ''Impressionism,'' with Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons, opens at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater on Tuesday; ''Next to Normal,'' that unlikely domestic drama cum musical,
will start previews at the Booth Theater on Friday. And there are many others.

But what if time is tight and you have to choose just one must-see show? Simple: ''FINIAN'S RAINBOW,'' the final production of the current Encores! season. It runs for only five performances, and if you don't have a phone
in your hand (or keyboard at your fingers) as you read this, you may be shut out. This musical, with music by Burton Lane, lyrics by E. Y. Harburg and a book by Harburg and Fred Saidy, opened on Broadway on Jan.
10, 1947, and ran for 725 performances. The revival of this tale of an Irishman (Jim Norton) and his daughter (Kate Baldwin) seeking riches in the fictional state of Missitucky by burying a pot of gold and hoping
it will multiply may be especially appealing at a time when we are all wondering if buried treasure is the only route to financial security. Philip Bosco and Cheyenne Jackson are among the other cast members. Thursday
through March 29, City Center, 131 West 55th Street, Manhattan, (212) 581-1212, nycitycenter.org; $25 to $95.

And if a quick palette cleanser is in order before this mostly whimsical tale, this one-night-only event might be just the ticket: a staged reading of the deliciously catty play ''Legends,'' written by James Kirkwood (''A
Chorus Line''). Charles Busch and Lypsinka will star as two has-been actresses forced to share a stage despite their bitter rivalry. Whoopi Goldberg also stars. Monday at 8 p.m., Town Hall, 123 West 43rd
Street, Manhattan, (212) 307-4100, ticketmaster.com; $60, $75 and $100.